Empowering Communities: Localism in Action – case studies, tips and tools from the South West

Localism in Action contains case studies, tips, tools and contact details in one document - and separately downloadable sections - on:

• Participatory Budgeting
• Community Assets
• Community Led Planning
• Communities Taking the Lead.

Downloads are available at this link.

For information about printed copies, please contact John Skrine at Creating Excellence: mailto:john.skrine@creatingexcellence.org.uk.

The guide shares the knowledge and experience of 29 South West public services' professionals who have been working together on participatory budgeting and localism.  While not claiming to have all the answers, its contributors do have years of practical experience delivering participatory budgeting and supporting communities, mainly in rural areas.

Brought together by Creating Excellence as part of Empowering Communities, the Regional Empowerment Partnership, and led by Leslie Silverlock, the PB and Localism Group has taken on a life of its own.  Starting by discussing Participatory Budgeting in 2009, its members broadened the remit to include localism and engagement issues.  In Autumn 2010 they ran a sell-out event on Participatory Budgeting, a report on which you can read here.

Speaking about the Localism in Action guide, Dominic Murphy, Executive Director of Creating Excellence, said: "It's a truly remarkable piece of work by public authority staff.  These are people who are enthusiastic for local people to have more of a say, and for their authorities to respond".  The group has been funded by the South West Improvement & Efficiency Partnership and Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service. 

For more information about the guide or the group, please contact Leslie Silverlock leslie.silverlock@groupswork.com or John Skrine john.skrine@creatingexcellence.org.uk.